Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles
09:49

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles

Published on: May 23, 2016

Hypertension impairs vascular reactivity in the pediatric brain

Linda J Wong1, Juan C Kupferman, Isak Prohovnik

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Maimonides Infants and Children's Hospital, 977 48th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.

Stroke
|May 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hypertensive children show impaired cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide. Lower diastolic blood pressure in these youth may predict cerebral damage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Physiology

Background:

  • Chronic hypertension is known to affect cerebrovascular regulation in adults.
  • The impact of hypertension on cerebrovascular function in children and adolescents remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cerebrovascular abnormalities in hypertensive children and adolescents.
  • To assess cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia in pediatric hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-four participants (7-20 years) underwent transcranial Doppler of the middle cerebral artery during CO2 rebreathing.
  • Cerebrovascular reactivity was quantified using cerebral blood flow velocity and end-tidal CO2.
  • Participants were categorized as hypertensive, prehypertensive, or white coat hypertensive based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Main Results:

  • Untreated hypertensive children exhibited significantly lower hypercapnic reactivity compared to normotensive controls.
  • Baseline mean diastolic blood pressure z-scores and loads were inversely correlated with cerebrovascular reactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertensive children and adolescents demonstrate blunted vasodilatory reactivity to hypercapnia.
  • Diastolic blood pressure indices appear to be stronger predictors of cerebral end-organ damage than systolic blood pressure in this population.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Ex Vivo Pressurized Hippocampal Capillary-Parenchymal Arteriole Preparation for Functional Study09:15

Ex Vivo Pressurized Hippocampal Capillary-Parenchymal Arteriole Preparation for Functional Study

Published on: December 18, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Neural Regulation of Blood Pressure

The neural regulation of blood pressure involves intricate interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system, ensuring adequate perfusion of tissues. This regulation primarily occurs through baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes, involving both short-term and long-term mechanisms.
Baroreceptor Reflex
Baroreceptors, located in the carotid sinuses and aortic arch, detect changes in blood pressure. When blood pressure rises, these stretch-sensitive receptors...
Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System01:18

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...